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09/27/2008 09:21:14 AM · #51 |
Well late Friday, they took out all the ladders, so not it looks really good. We hit a big snag though. The fire sprinkler guys say that what's there is insufficient. They want three lines coming down the room, instead of the one. Unfortunately this man is the only one the owner of the buildig will let us use, and apparently he's been to busy.
So now we're waiting on the fire marshalls office to approve the sprinkler plans, and then this guy to tear things up puttin in more lines.
They are still adding lights and interior signs. Exterior signage should be done next week sometime. And then come all the inspections. As soon as we pass final inspection, electricity will be turned on, and then the cable and security systems can be installed. And then they'll paint the floor ( which means a day or so no one can go in)
So I think our opening of 10/13 is doable, but everything depends on the fire line guy.
We've paid the contractor $40k so far, I'm expecting another 10-15. the signage was a little over 6k installed for one big lighted sign, two vynle decal signs on the bit pylon out front, and the hours sign on the front door.
We can't be in there doing anything til after they finish the floor. No telling where they'll get paint!
So I'm just sitting out here watchign, grumbling... wishing. |
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09/27/2008 10:00:42 AM · #52 |
Good to see this near completion. I really like that cyc wall (why is it called that, I do not know?). Good idea.
Can't wait to see it in its finished state.
Lucky you! |
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09/27/2008 11:45:14 AM · #53 |
Well I must say it's incredibly ambitious and I am officially jealous. I really hope it works out for you. The work so far looks great, no, fantastic! Good to see someone living the dream.
Not that I am superstitious but I wouldn't open on the 13th. ;)
Best of luck, will be keeping an eye on this thread. Nice to see a `self indulgent` thread (in the best way) that isn't dedicated to ones health issues ,wallowing in self-pity or fishing for sympathy.
Fingers & toes crossed for you!
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Added to my watched threads list.
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09/27/2008 02:07:32 PM · #54 |
Originally posted by Simms:
Not that I am superstitious but I wouldn't open on the 13th. ;)
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I would. I was born on a 13th, I wish it was a Friday but no luck. :) |
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09/27/2008 10:09:13 PM · #55 |
If we don't get the sprinklers installed next week, there's no way they'll be ready for even the 13th. We wanted to be open the first, so that we could tie into Operation Smile's Family Portrait Month. Now I'm just hoping we make it by November. :(
I went in today, and with all their stuff gone it looks soooo cool. Don't like some of the light polution on the cyc though. Gonna have to work on that.
13... is my favorite number :) so it made a good day to open. |
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10/14/2008 01:33:14 PM · #56 |
Final inspection today!!!
Tomorrow they'll put another coat of paint on the floor, and hopefully the electricity will get turned on. This weekend we start moving in! |
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10/14/2008 02:20:03 PM · #57 |
woohoo sounds exciting cant wait to see the final result
Message edited by author 2008-10-14 14:20:18. |
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10/17/2008 10:03:26 AM · #58 |
I may stop by sometime next year. Take some "After" pictures of it.
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10/17/2008 11:09:23 AM · #59 |
YAYYYYYYY!!! Show us some pics of the storefront and inside when you have your grand opening :)
AND CONGRATULATIONS! |
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10/20/2008 09:35:58 AM · #60 |
Still no front sign, and no electricity, but hopefully we'll get our final today. If so we'll probably open next Monday. I took some pictures of the front room empty this weekend, I'll post them later.
We started moving stuff in... I am building my asset/inventory database as we move so we can turn everythign into insurance for coverage, as well as really know what we have. On top of that I bought a new desktop for the studio, HP TouchSmart 506 (Sam's club was 1279 plus tax). Added lots of legal software... Office, CS4, Lightroom 2, Portrait Professional, Focus Magic, ProSelect Pro, Successware (Lease all three.
CS4 is very different from CS2. I haven't figured out how to make Portrait Professional or Focus Magic work as plug ins for it yet. And ProSelect, well that just scares me lol.
Today I have to see about picking up our new sitting area furniture, and work on the website. I think the next few weeks are gonna be.... well busy to say the least. |
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10/20/2008 09:42:37 AM · #61 |
How exciting!
I've made the plunge to redo my detached garage into a full studio/sales room and it's well underway. This week is mostly all construction (with me as the everything) and then about 10 days from now the drywall and painting is to take place. I'm not looking forward to the cleanup to that!
I saw that same computer at Costco - wow, I like it for where a client can see/access it. How is it in reality? A store demo is one thing, but to actually use it tells one a different story.
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10/20/2008 10:03:28 AM · #62 |
So far I really like, just got it put together last night, 22" makes my 17" laptop look like a baby. I like that it's all one peice, I can pick it up (it is heavy though) and move it back to the backroom so it's not visible in the front at night. Or even take it home if I want. I'm going to hook it up to a projector, and since it has a wireless keyboard and mouse, I'm hoping I can set it on a side table and sit with my clients looking at the projected image at the conference table.
Set up was quick easy...as long as you are already comfortable with Vista it's a nice upgrade to 64 bit HUGE screen for not a whole lot of money. Experience Rating is 3.7, low for 3D Graphics and graphic acceleration, so won't be a great gaming machine, but it's for work anyway. |
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10/21/2008 10:42:03 AM · #63 |
Picked up our Certificate of Occupancy this morning. They should have the electricity on either late today or tomorrow. Tomorrow morning the guys are due out to install most of the main sign, (They sent part of it out to be printed??? I'm guessing they took my picture, and converted it, and are going to use it on vinyl for the logo on the sign).
Next steps are getting the phone in, the security system, and then taking in all the camera equipment and electronics. And to figure out which pictures to put on the walls where. Oi it'll never be done. |
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10/21/2008 03:39:29 PM · #64 |
| Yea!!! A sign and electricity! What more could a person want? :-) Congratulations! I'll have to come by and check it out! |
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10/22/2008 12:33:20 PM · #65 |
Still no electricity.
Still no sign.
Sigh
But pictures!
This is the waiting or seating area. Nice comfy chair :) almost fell asleep in it yesterday while I was waiting for a package delivery.
We took two Dining tables, and 8 chairs to make the conference area, we'll project from there across to above the couch on the other side.
 Here is the finished Cyc wall. ( my camera stand is in front. I'm tryign to figure out how to make a tray for the offside to hold a laptop for teathered shooting)
This is our Scene Machine screen. It will be mounted to the wall opposite the cyc for all of our Projected backgrounds. |
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10/22/2008 05:45:48 PM · #66 |
Looking good!
I looked long and hard at one of those scene machines- a fellow photog was selling his, but at the time I was working out of my basement studio and there was no way it would work there.
Have you used it before or is this something new for you?
BTW, that HP touchscreen computer is $200 cheaper at costco this week - $1399 now. I opted for the other HP with the 24" turnable screen for 1099 instead. I doubt I'll ever turn the screen, but it's a cool idea. It was the cheapest way to get the 'box' I wanted or at least close enough.
Building is expensive. I dropped another $160 at home depot today and that should just about finishe the electrical rough in. I figure another $300 on insulation and furring strips and I should be ready for drywall - plus the furnace ductwork. I am making extremely slow progress on that front.
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10/22/2008 07:28:35 PM · #67 |
| It doesn't look like you have much room in front of your cyc. If the model is far enough away from the wall to not have light spill on her, won't you get that green thing on the floor in the shot? Or is there more room out of frame at camera right? |
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10/22/2008 08:25:35 PM · #68 |
The green thing on the floor is a projections screen. It won't be there, it will be hung on the opposite wall (Next to the shelving)
The store is 20' wide, so the cyc is about 15x15 |
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10/23/2008 09:45:52 AM · #69 |
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
I looked long and hard at one of those scene machines- a fellow photog was selling his, but at the time I was working out of my basement studio and there was no way it would work there.
Have you used it before or is this something new for you?
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We actually have two systems. They were the only background system for the studio we closed in July. One of our screens is 8x10 the other 8x8 portable. I'm going up to the factory today or tomorrow, I've been to their class. Dr. Oles is cool! We are considering selling our portable system. Has a majestic tripod, the scene machine and the portable screen. Don't really need two. Though you do need a backup of the actual strobe parts.
The really nice thing about the system is you can make your own backgrounds (or buy someone elses) Anything you can shoot, you can use as a background. So if you want Bluebonnets in November, just shoot a great field of them in March and wala. Bluebonnets. There are a couple of these on my website now. In the Seniors section. One's an old master look (blue diaganals) the other, a yellow paisley type. I have about 300 options with the slides, that take up the size of a notebook, compared to muslins which would take up soooo much more. Check out their website for ideas. Some people are just amazing with them. |
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10/23/2008 02:39:49 PM · #70 |
Getting closer!!!
Electricity is on!!!
Broadband and Cable are on (Ok so why do I need cable????? Answer:  )
They say the telephone won't be installed until next friday... this annoys me. We can't have the security system installed until after the phone is in. And I REALLY don't want to leave computers, cameras, and all sorts of studio equipment in here completely unprotected!
Our frontage sign is on a truck out in front of the store... They're supposed to be hanging it, but having trouble with their truck.
Anywho it's close! |
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10/23/2008 04:23:22 PM · #71 |
I have a friend that moved their business from one plaza to another - bigger space for less money, etc. The phone took a MONTH to get moved. Lovely, huh?
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10/24/2008 10:00:44 AM · #72 |
Sign is up!!! But not lit yet. Hopefully in the next few days! Open house first weekend in November.
Storefront
Close up of Sign
Notice the detail in the cross. What they did was take the picture I took of the cross  ol_possum painted in my old store and printed it! |
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10/25/2008 04:26:28 PM · #73 |
Here's the first shot against the cyc! |
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10/26/2008 09:57:07 AM · #74 |
Ok here is my lighting plan. Hopefully I didn't miss anything. I would apprecaite your comments! (Note we do have natural light coming from the North (right side of the diagram) during the day as well. Planning on putting up black backgrounds to cut down on it when we need to. |
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10/26/2008 10:26:41 AM · #75 |
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